Toothbrush for use with an orthodontic device

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush comprises an elongate handle member. A head member is connected to one end of the handle member and at least one primary cleaning element and at least one secondary cleaning element extend from the head member. The secondary cleaning element include a body portion that extends substantially parallel to a plane of the head member, and first and second spaced legs fixedly extend between the body portion and the head member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

SEQUENTIAL LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Background

The present invention generally relates to a toothbrush, and more particularly, to an improved toothbrush for cleaning teeth, gingiva, and an orthodontic device.

2. Description of the Background

People without fixed orthodontic devices may find conventional toothbrushes adequate in removing plaque. However, orthodontic patients with fixed devices, such as braces, face unique challenges in the removal of plaque around these devices and the surrounding teeth and gingiva. It is not uncommon for the level of plaque removal in these types of patients to be unacceptable, as the presence of fixed orthodontic devices prevents conventional toothbrushes from reaching areas around and under the devices where plaque accumulates. A great deal of manual dexterity is therefore required on the part of the patient to properly remove plaque using a conventional toothbrush. The consequences of improper dental care may include various forms of tooth decay. Therefore, there is a need for a toothbrush that can remove plaque that is inaccessible or difficult to reach with a conventional toothbrush in the home or within a dental care practitioner's office.

Lupossello U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,708 disclosed one known toothbrush for use in cleaning an orthodontic appliance that includes a head having a plurality of upwardly extending brushes. Two elongate brush members perpendicularly overlie the plurality of bristles. Both of the elongate brush members include an unattached end for insertion between orthodontic wires and an opposing end that is connected to a handle of the toothbrush. Luposello does not disclose any upwardly extending bristles that display omnidirectional cleaning capabilities, nor are any of the upwardly extending bristles combined with horizontally or vertically extending omnidirectional cleaning members in the same cleaning plane.

Massetti U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,463 discloses another known toothbrush that comprises a handle with a cleaning portion on one end thereof. The cleaning portion includes opposing side members having one or more swabs extending transversely therebetween. The swab members are rotatable and include a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. Massetti does not contemplate utilizing non-rotatable cleaning elements, which have been found better suited to cleaning teeth, gingiva, and orthodontic appliances because the cleaning elements do not slip on the surface to be cleaned. Further, the rigid side members holding the swabs with transversely extending bristles are not as effective in orienting the bristles between the teeth, gingiva, and orthodontic appliances, as toothbrushes with more resilient, i.e., elastically deformable, holding elements are.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a toothbrush comprises an elongate handle member. A head member is connected to one end of the handle member and at least one primary cleaning element and at least one secondary cleaning element extend from the head member. The secondary cleaning element includes a body portion that extends substantially parallel to a plane of the head member, and first and second spaced legs fixedly extend between the body portion and the head member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a toothbrush comprises an elongate portion extending between first and second ends. The elongate portion has a head portion on the first end thereof. A multiplicity of bristles extend from a first surface of the head portion and at least one omnidirectional cleaning element extends from the first surface of the head portion. The omnidirectional cleaning element includes a stem extending substantially transversely from the first surface and a plurality of cleaning surfaces extending radially from a distal end of the stem.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a toothbrush comprises a brushing head that includes a brushing surface and a handle extending from a proximal end thereof. A plurality of tufts is disposed on the brushing surface. Each tuft comprises a multiplicity of bristles extending substantially transversely from the brushing surface. At least two vertical posts extend from the brushing surface in a direction substantially transverse to same, wherein a plurality of bristles extends radially from the two posts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a toothbrush that includes a head with a plurality of primary and secondary cleaning elements extending therefrom, wherein one of the primary and the secondary elements includes a cut-away portion;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the head of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the head of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the head of the toothbrush taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the toothbrush;

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of a variation of the toothbrush depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the toothbrush;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the toothbrush;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a head of the toothbrush of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a head of the toothbrush taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of the toothbrush; and

FIG. 11A is a side elevational view of a variation of the toothbrush depicted in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a toothbrush 20 with an improved brushing head for removing plaque from teeth, gingiva, and orthodontic devices is illustrated. The toothbrush 20 generally includes an elongate handle member 22, a head member 24, and several brushing elements, which will be described in greater detail below. The handle member 22 and the head member 24 are integral with one another and formed by conventional injection molding techniques. However, it is also anticipated that the brushing elements may be incorporated into toothbrushes fabricated from multiple components (not shown) or included in an electric toothbrush having a known attachment and drive means (not shown).

With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the head member 24 is depicted to have a planar top surface 26 that extends between first and second ends 28, 30, respectively, of the head member 24. The first end 28 of the head member 24 is connected to the handle member 22 by a neck 32, which has a narrower cross-section than either the handle member 22 or the head member 24. A plurality of primary cleaning elements 34 is disposed on the top surface 26 of the head member 24. In the present embodiment, the plurality of primary cleaning elements 34 comprise a plurality of tufts 36 that include a multiplicity of primary bristles 38. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the primary bristles 38 have proximal ends 40 attached to the head member 24 and distal ends 42 extending outwardly from the head member 24. In the present embodiment, the primary bristles 38 extend substantially transversely from the top surface 26 of the head member 24. However, it is anticipated that the primary cleaning elements 34 may comprise any manner of bristle or cleaning element known to those skilled in the art and may similarly be provided with any manner of orientation.

With reference again to FIGS. 1-4, it may also be seen that a plurality of secondary cleaning elements 44 is disposed on the top surface 26 of the head member 24. Each of the secondary cleaning elements 44 comprises a generally U-shaped member 46. As seen in FIG. 1, the U-shaped member 46 includes first and second leg portions 48, 50, respectively, that have proximal ends attached to the head member 24 and distal ends extending outwardly from the head member 24. The leg portions 48, 50 of the present embodiment are depicted as extending substantially transversely from the planar top surface 26 of the head member 24, however, it is anticipated that other embodiments may utilize any combination of angled or transversely oriented vertical posts that extend upwardly and outwardly from the top surface 26. The U-shaped member 46 further includes a body portion 56 fixedly connected to the leg portions 48, 50 and spaced a first distance from the top surface 26. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the leg portions 48, 50 are connected to opposing ends of the body portion 56. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such a construction, rather, it is contemplated that one or more of the distal ends of the leg portions 48, 50 may be disposed interiorly from the opposing ends of the body portion 56.

The secondary cleaning elements 44 further include a multiplicity of secondary bristles 58 that extend radially from the body portion 56. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary bristles 58 extend substantially transversely from a centerline of the body portion 56. In another preferred embodiment, the secondary bristles 58 extend radially from the body portion 56 at a number of different angles from the centerline thereof. In the present embodiment, the secondary cleaning elements 44 also include a multiplicity of secondary bristles 58 extending from the leg portions 48, 50. It is contemplated that the secondary bristles 58 will extend from the leg portion 48, 50, and from any transition zone between the leg portions 48, 50 and the body portion 56, in a similar manner as described above. Further, other embodiments of the present invention may include secondary bristles 58 extending the entire length of the leg portions 48, 50 or extending only partially about the leg portions 48, 50 and/or the body portion 56.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate that a cavity 60 is provided between the secondary bristles 58 of the U-shaped member 46. During a brushing stroke, the secondary bristles 58 will channel some of the removed plaque or debris through the cavity 60 for ease of removal. Further, the cavity 60 provides a user or dental professional an easily accessible point to clean the secondary bristles 58 and other portions of the secondary cleaning element 44. The size of the cavity 60 is dependent on any number of modifiable factors, including the height of the leg portions 48, 50, the width of the body portion 56, the spacing of the leg portions 48, 50 on the body portion 56, and the density, angle of projection, inclusion, and length of the secondary bristles 58 on the leg portions 48, 50 and/or the body portion 56.

The secondary cleaning elements 44 are manufactured by any one of several technologies currently known by those skilled in the art. In the present embodiment, the secondary cleaning elements 44, including the attendant leg portions 48, 50, the body portion 56, and the secondary bristles 58, are formed by an injection molding process. Therefore, the body portion 56 and the leg portions 48, 50 are formed integrally with the radially extending secondary bristles 58. While any type of thermoplastic material may be used, in a preferred embodiment a co-polymer or synthetic polymer, such as nylon or polyester, is utilized. Injection molding processes will also allow the secondary bristles 58 to be formed with other bristles radiating about the length of any of the secondary bristles 58. Indeed, any number of bristles may be provided that radiate from any number of additional bristles. The addition of such bristles will increase the extent to which the secondary cleaning elements 44 can reach between wires, undercuts, or other areas of orthodontic devices. The additional bristles may also increase the abrasiveness of the secondary cleaning elements 44 to aid in plaque removal.

It is also anticipated that the secondary cleaning elements 44 may be manufactured in a multitude of other ways. In one embodiment the U-shaped member 46 of the secondary cleaning element 44 is formed by bending or otherwise deforming multiple wire strands into the above described shape, such as depicted in connection with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A that are described in further detail below. The secondary bristles 58 are comprised of portions of the wire strands that radiate from the U-shaped member 46. In a third embodiment, the secondary bristles 58 comprise microfibers, such as nylon or polyester, which are glued to portions of the U-shaped member 46. In the third embodiment, it is contemplated that portions of the U-shaped member 46 may comprise either a similar or dissimilar material than used to create the secondary bristles 58. In a fourth embodiment, the secondary bristles 58 comprise a co-polymer or synthetic polymer and are tied around the U-shaped member 46. Similar to the third embodiment, the U-shaped member 46 of the fourth embodiment may be comprised of a similar or dissimilar thermoplastic material than the secondary bristles 58.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the primary and secondary cleaning elements 34, 44 may be attached to the head member 24 of the toothbrush 20 in any number of conventional manners. For example, the present embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4 may be formed by a single or multiple step injection molding process to fabricate the handle member 22, the head member 24, and the primary and secondary cleaning elements 34, 44. In other embodiments, the primary and secondary cleaning elements 34, 44 are attached to the head member 24 by techniques such as thermoforming, fushion, welding, and the like. Other conventional methods such as the stapling of the primary and the secondary cleaning elements 34, 44 to the head member 24 may also be utilized.

With reference again to FIG. 3, a longitudinal axis 62 of the handle member 22 separates the head member 24 into first and second cleaning portions 64, 66, respectively. The primary cleaning elements 34 of the present embodiment are the plurality of tufts 36, which are arranged into first, second, third, and fourth rows 68 a-d, respectively. The first and second rows 68 a, 68 b are disposed adjacent the first end 28 of the head member 24 on the first cleaning portion 64 and are aligned in a parallel manner to each other and the longitudinal axis 62. The third and fourth rows 68 c, 68 d are disposed adjacent the second end 30 of the head member 24 on the second cleaning portion 66 and are similarly aligned in a parallel manner to each other and the longitudinal axis 62. The secondary cleaning elements 44 of the present embodiment comprise a first secondary cleaning element 70 and a second secondary cleaning element 72. The cleaning element 70 is disposed adjacent the second end 30 of the head member 24 on the first cleaning portion 64 and the cleaning element 72 is disposed adjacent the first end 28 of the head member 24 on the second cleaning portion 66. Both of the cleaning elements 70, 72 are parallel with one another and the longitudinal axis 62.

A second embodiment of a toothbrush 80 is depicted in FIG. 5. The second embodiment is similar to the previously described first embodiment except that the second embodiment includes only first and second rows 68 a′, 68 b′ of tufts 36, which are disposed adjacent the second end 30 of the head member 24 in a manner perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 62. Further, the body portions 56 of first and second secondary cleaning elements 70′, 72′ are disposed adjacent the first end 28 of the head member 24 and are aligned in a parallel manner with one another and the longitudinal axis 62.

FIG. 5A depicts a variation of the head member 24 of the toothbrush 80 shown in FIG. 5. A head member 24′ is identical to the head member 24 except for the inclusion of an angle in the top surface 26. Specifically, a toe portion 82 of the head member 24′ disposed adjacent the second end 30 thereof is angled with respect to a heel portion 84 of the head member 24′ disposed adjacent the first end 28 thereof. The toe portion 82 may be angled in any manner from the heel portion 84, however, it is preferred that the toe portion 82 be angled from the heel portion 84 from about 0° to about 45°. In the present embodiment, the first and second secondary cleaning elements 70′ and 72′ extend substantially parallel to a plane of the head member 24′ on the heel portion 84 and the first and second rows 68 a′, 68 b′ of tufts 36 extend substantially perpendicularly from a plane of the head member 24′ on the toe portion 82.

A third embodiment of a toothbrush 100 is depicted in FIG. 6. The present embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiments, except that only first and second secondary cleaning elements 70″, 72″ are provided on the head member 24. Both of the cleaning elements 70″, 72″ are aligned in a parallel manner with one another and the longitudinal axis 62. Further, both of the cleaning elements 70″, 72″ include a third leg portion 102 disposed interiorly of the first and second leg portions 48, 50. The body portion 56 of both of the cleaning elements 70″, 72″ angles downwardly from opposing ends thereof toward the third leg portion 102. The angle between the first and second leg portions 48, 50 and the third leg portion 102 may be modified as desired, but it is preferred that the body portion 56 be substantially parallel to the planar top surface 26 of the head member 24. It is also contemplated that in other embodiments one or more leg portions may be spaced anywhere between the first and second leg portions 48, 50. In yet another embodiment, the cleaning elements 70″, 72″ may include only the first and second leg portions 48, 50. In a different embodiment, only one of the cleaning elements 70″, 72″ is provided. Alternatively, any of the disclosed embodiments may have upper portions of their leg portions 48, 50 or their body portions 56 angled inwardly or outwardly uniformly or non-uniformly from the longitudinal axis 62, e.g., the body portion 56 may be angled inwardly toward the longitudinal axis 62 to form a v-shape that is not parallel with same or the entire upper portion of one of the cleaning elements 70″, 72″ may be uniformly angled toward the longitudinal axis 62 so that the body portion 56 is parallel therewith.

A fourth embodiment of a toothbrush 120 is depicted in FIGS. 7-10. The present embodiment is similar to the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1-4 except that the plurality of secondary cleaning elements 44 has been replaced by a plurality of omnidirectional cleaning elements 122. The present embodiment includes first, second, third, and fourth omnidirectional cleaning elements 124 a-d, respectively. Each of the omnidirectional cleaning elements 124 a-d includes an elongate stem 126 having a proximal end 128 attached to the head member 24 and a distal end 130 extending outwardly from the top surface 26 of the head member 24. The stem 126 of the present embodiment extends substantially transversely from the top surface 26 of the head member 24. However, in other embodiments the stem 126 or other member may be angled to any degree as desired. A multiplicity of cleaning surfaces 132 extend radially from the distal end 130 of the stem 126, thereby imparting a somewhat spherical appearance to upper ends of the omnidirectional cleaning elements 124 a-d. A second multiplicity of cleaning surfaces (not shown) may also be provided around a portion of the stem 126. However, it is preferred that at least some clearance between the top surface 26 of the head member 24 and the multiplicity of cleaning surfaces 132 exist to impart a clearance area similar to the cavity 60 described in connection with the first embodiment.

The plurality of omnidirectional cleaning elements 122 may comprise similar materials and structure as noted above in connection with the plurality of secondary cleaning elements 44. For example, any of the structural components, materials, or designs employed in connection with the secondary bristles 58 or leg portions 48, 50, may be likewise utilized in connection with the cleaning surfaces 132 and the stem 126, respectively, of the present embodiment. Further, any of the manufacturing or fabrication techniques and modifications thereof discussed herein may be employed to create the omnidirectional cleaning elements 122. While the plurality of omnidirectional cleaning elements 122 is provided with a substantially different configuration than the plurality of secondary cleaning elements 44, the similar utilization of radially extending bristles and/or cleaning surfaces in conjunction with areas of clearance offer advantages presently unknown to patients with orthodontic devices.

As noted above, the present embodiment has a similar layout as the first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4. However, the first secondary cleaning element 70 is replaced by the omnidirectional cleaning elements 124 a, 124 b, which are disposed in a row adjacent the second end 30 of the head member 24 that is parallel with the longitudinal axis 62 and spaced a first distance from same. Similarly, the second secondary cleaning element 72 is replaced by the omnidirectional cleaning elements 124 c, 124 d, which are disposed in a row adjacent the first end 28 of the head member 24 that is parallel to the longitudinal axis 62 and spaced a second distance from same. In the present embodiment, the first and second distances are equal, however, other embodiments may provide for an unequal spacing. It is contemplated that any of the embodiments described above may utilize one or more omnidirectional cleaning elements in lieu of, or in combination with, one or more primary or secondary cleaning elements. For example, FIG. 11 depicts a fifth embodiment of a toothbrush 140 that is similar to the toothbrush 80 depicted in FIG. 5, except that the primary cleaning elements are omnidirectional cleaning elements 124 a′, 124 b′ that are disposed adjacent the second end 30 of the head member 24 and in alignment with the secondary cleaning elements 70′, 72′ about the longitudinal axis 62. Further, FIG. 11A depicts a variation of the toothbrush 140 depicted in FIG. 11 that includes a toe portion 142 of a head member 24″ angled with respect to a heel portion 144 thereof in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 5A.

As can be readily discerned from the present disclosure, any number of primary, secondary, or omnidirectional cleaning elements may be provided. It is anticipated that some embodiments may only utilize one of the secondary or omnidirectional cleaning elements, while other embodiments may be entirely comprised of secondary or omnidirectional cleaning elements. Further, while the embodiments described herein depict various cleaning elements having distal ends substantially coextensive with one another, the heights of any of the primary, secondary, or omnidirectional cleaning elements may be varied as desired.

Numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. 

1. A toothbrush, comprising: an elongate handle member; a head member connected to one end of the handle member; and at least one primary cleaning element and at least one secondary cleaning element extending from the head member, wherein the secondary cleaning element includes a body portion that extends substantially parallel to a plane of the head member, and first and second spaced legs that fixedly extend between the body portion and the head member.
 2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the secondary cleaning element is spaced a first distance from the head member.
 3. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the body portion is spaced from the head member and a distal end of the body portion is coextensive with a distal end of least one of the primary cleaning elements.
 4. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a multiplicity of bristles extend radially from a centerline of the body portion.
 5. The toothbrush of claim 4, wherein a multiplicity of bristles extend radially form centerlines of the first and second spaced legs.
 6. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the first and second spaced legs are connected to opposing ends of the body portion.
 7. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the first and second spaced legs extend between the body portion and the head member in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of the head member.
 8. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a second secondary cleaning element having a second body portion extending substantially parallel to the plane of the head member is provided, and wherein the second body portion is substantially parallel to the body portion of the first cleaning element.
 9. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the primary cleaning element comprises at least one bristle extending from the head member in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of the head member.
 10. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the primary cleaning element comprises a plurality of bristles extending radially from a distal end of a member.
 11. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the secondary cleaning element includes a third leg spaced between the first and second spaced legs and wherein the third leg fixedly extends between the body portion and the head member.
 12. A toothbrush, comprising: an elongate portion extending between first and second ends, the elongate portion having a head portion on the first end thereof; a multiplicity of bristles extending from a first surface of the head portion; and at least one omnidirectional cleaning element extending from the first surface of the head portion, wherein the omnidirectional cleaning element includes a stem extending substantially transversely from the first surface and a plurality of cleaning surfaces extending radially from a distal end of the stem.
 13. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the multiplicity of bristles extend substantially transversely from the first surface of the head portion.
 14. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein a distal end of the omnidirectional cleaning element is coextensive with a distal end of one of the multiplicity of bristles.
 15. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein a second plurality of cleaning surfaces extend radially from a medial portion of the stem.
 16. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the omnidirectional cleaning element is disposed proximate a second omnidirectional cleaning element.
 17. The toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the head portion includes a longitudinal axis defining opposing sides of the first surface, and wherein the omnidirectional cleaning element is spaced a first distance from the longitudinal axis on a first side and a second omnidirectional cleaning element is spaced a second distance on a second side.
 18. The toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the omnidirectional cleaning element is disposed adjacent a distal end of the head portion and the second omnidirectional cleaning element is disposed adjacent a proximal end of the head portion.
 19. The toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the first distance is equal to the second distance.
 20. A toothbrush, comprising: a brushing head including a brushing surface and a handle extending from a proximal end thereof; a plurality of tufts disposed on the brushing surface, each tuft comprising a multiplicity of bristles extending substantially transversely from the brushing surface; and at least two vertical posts extending from the brushing surface in a direction substantially transverse to same, wherein a plurality of bristles extend radially from the two posts. 